Members of the local community where accused nanny Aisling McCarthy Brady grew up expressed shock today that she has been accused of battering a baby in her care

Also in this section

Locals expressed their support for the accused woman and for her extended family in County Cavan.

People in the community spoke today of Aisling's "highly respected family" and of the strong support that will be available to them during the coming weeks.

Aisling was one of a family of 10 children that grew up in Moher, New Inns, Ballyjamesduff, in the parish of Lavey.

She emigrated to the United States a decade ago and many of her siblings have also left Ireland to find work and better improve their prospects

"The family have had tragedy and sadness in the past.

"Aisling's younger brother Aidan died a number of years in a car crash and Aisling's father Aidan snr died four years ago," said local Fianna Fail councillor Fergal Curtin (30).

"The Bradys are a very respectable family and are very popular in the local community. Our thoughts are with them now at this difficult time," said Cllr Curtin. "Aisling's brother Raymond lives in Boston where they will have a lot of support from the Irish community over there. I also believe her two other brothers are in Australia."

Locals said Aisling's mother Margaret lives in the family bungalow in Moher along with her daughters Joanne and Michelle. There are five Brady sisters in all.

"Aisling is a long time away in America. It's over 10 years now since she left," said a local.

A cousin of the 34-year-old Irish nanny said: "i just don't know what's happening. We don't know anything, we have only just found out."

Local people said they believe Aisling's mother travelled to the US shortly after hearing the news.